1
as in controllers
a mechanism for adjusting the operation of a device, machine, or system
the controls for the player are well marked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in hands
the ability to direct the course of something
after the tail fell off, the plane went out of the pilot's control firefighters keeping control of the blaze
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in operations
the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something
control of manufacturing operations was given to a new manager with fresh ideas
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in powers
the right or means to command or control others
teachers are responsible for the students under their control
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in regulates
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
you must learn to control your temper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in contains
to gain emotional or mental control of
he controlled himself only with the greatest difficulty in the face of his opponent's insulting remarks
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in rules
to exercise authority or power over
circumstances often control the choices we make in life
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in operates
to look after and make decisions about
during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of controls
Rakesh Kumar, Fortune, 30 May 2026
The remaining fish served as controls.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Washington has tightened controls on China’s advanced semiconductors, high-bandwidth memory, and chipmaking tools.
—Olivia White, Time, 29 May 2026
Simple controls, a powerful motor and dishwasher-safe parts are key selling points of the Mini Prep model.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Senators wanted stricter fiscal controls, but the House said no.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Yet the Avs’ power play without Makar at the point is more or less what the Broncos’ offense looks like when Jarrett Stidham’s at the controls.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 23 May 2026
Key Takeaways Wasps are beneficial as pollinators and pest controls, but a nest near your house can cause problems.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
App controls, software updates, diagnostics and support all depend on that connection.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
CBS News, 31 May 2026
Michigan is also home to competitive House races that could determine which party controls the lower chamber.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
But the Governor controls the cogs of government through thousands of appointments to boards and commissions.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 30 May 2026
This week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel controls 60% of Gaza and the next step was to move to 70% control.
—Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
New Delhi is also keen on gaining access to some of Myanmar's extensive rare earths deposits-though China, which controls much of the rare earths supply chain in the area, is unlikely to agree.
—Michael Sullivan, NPR, 30 May 2026
Though more popular for your skin, when applied to your scalp and strands, the ingredient sloughs off buildup, soothes irritation, reduces dandruff, and controls oil production.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 29 May 2026
The country produces roughly 25% of global ammonium nitrate and controls up to 40% of its trade, giving Moscow significant influence over a critical input for crop production worldwide.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
While the Congolese government still largely controls the northeastern Ituri Province, the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak, that control is tenuous.
—ABC News, 24 May 2026
Noun
Chip controls and tariffs should carefully weigh their impact on chip costs.
—Rakesh Kumar, Fortune, 30 May 2026
The remaining fish served as controls.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Washington has tightened controls on China’s advanced semiconductors, high-bandwidth memory, and chipmaking tools.
—Olivia White, Time, 29 May 2026
Simple controls, a powerful motor and dishwasher-safe parts are key selling points of the Mini Prep model.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Senators wanted stricter fiscal controls, but the House said no.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Yet the Avs’ power play without Makar at the point is more or less what the Broncos’ offense looks like when Jarrett Stidham’s at the controls.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 23 May 2026
Key Takeaways Wasps are beneficial as pollinators and pest controls, but a nest near your house can cause problems.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
App controls, software updates, diagnostics and support all depend on that connection.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
Verb
The price controls on credit cards and pharmaceuticals.
—CBS News, 31 May 2026
Michigan is also home to competitive House races that could determine which party controls the lower chamber.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
But the Governor controls the cogs of government through thousands of appointments to boards and commissions.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 30 May 2026
This week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel controls 60% of Gaza and the next step was to move to 70% control.
—Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
New Delhi is also keen on gaining access to some of Myanmar's extensive rare earths deposits-though China, which controls much of the rare earths supply chain in the area, is unlikely to agree.
—Michael Sullivan, NPR, 30 May 2026
Though more popular for your skin, when applied to your scalp and strands, the ingredient sloughs off buildup, soothes irritation, reduces dandruff, and controls oil production.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 29 May 2026
The country produces roughly 25% of global ammonium nitrate and controls up to 40% of its trade, giving Moscow significant influence over a critical input for crop production worldwide.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
While the Congolese government still largely controls the northeastern Ituri Province, the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak, that control is tenuous.
—ABC News, 24 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controls
Noun
-
This post is focusing on DualSense controllers, which have dropped to familiar (but welcome) prices.—
Cameron Faulkner,
The Verge,
27 May 2026
-
Compared to previous generations of Xbox controllers, this one now includes a new Share button.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Both girls are high achievers, happy at school and their other activities, but the parents do have their hands full managing the dynamics because one of the girls has a pretty serious anxiety disorder.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Washington Post,
26 May 2026
-
But the 5-foot-11, 229-pounder still packed a punch with his hands.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
The Red Sox could also call old friend Paul Toboni, who left his post as Red Sox assistant general manager last fall to take over as head of baseball operations for the rebuilding Washington Nationals.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
-
Russian military bloggers have warned that even small mines scattered along key highways could repeatedly halt traffic for inspections and demining operations.—
David Kirichenko,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Invading during inopportune weather would spell certain doom for Allied troops and a potentially fatal blow to their efforts against the Axis powers.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
29 May 2026
-
Flanagan has targeted Craig for her support in 2025 of the Laken Riley Act, which expanded federal immigration enforcement powers.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Some foods contain melatonin, a natural hormone that regulates your sleep cycle.—
Trista Chan,
Health,
25 May 2026
-
This sends a signal along sensory nerve fibers to the autonomic nervous system, specifically the sympathetic branch, which is the same system that regulates your heart rate, sweat response and pupil dilation.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The neighborhood/area West Bay is a cluster of towering skyscrapers that contains residences, shopping malls, office buildings, hotels, and restaurants.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
-
Mathieu Lewis-Rolland / Getty Images The tank was designed to hold 900,000 gallons of a hazardous chemical known as white liquor, a chemical brew that contains sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide and disodium carbonate and is used in the paper-pulping process, officials have said.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Right now, rules governing who pays when disaster strikes are too often opaque, inequitable, and poorly designed to incentivise prevention.—
Nina Seega,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
Technically, the Heat isn’t eligible to trade its 2026 first-round pick because NBA rules prevent teams from being without a first-round selection in two consecutive years .—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Albertsons, which operates in the state as Safeway, and Ahold Delhaize USA, owner of Food Lion and Giant, round out the top five grocery providers.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
Brisbane airport operates the most extensive domestic and regional network of any in the country and is home to the most (and now rare) flying Fokker aircraft.—
Ramsey Qubein,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Controls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controls. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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